The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio) novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6 Happiness

Antonio said, "Sorry. I said I wouldn't work late, but there's too much to do at the company."

I cupped his face, my fingers gently rubbing the corners of his lips. "It's okay. The company comes first. You've had a tough day."

He let out a sigh of relief, but then he tensed up again because my hand had slid down his neck and was hovering near the buttons of his pajamas.

Ah, this place...

With just a little flick of my fingers, those hickeys and scratches would be exposed.

Antonio lowered his eyes, his breathing getting heavier.

Just as he let go of my waist and reached for my wrist, I lost interest in teasing him and turned around abruptly.

His hand grabbed at nothing.

"Sleep now," I said.

Antonio's hand went back to my waist, slowly tightening its grip.

I could feel his chest against my back as he held me closer and closer, like he wanted to melt me into him.

"Grace, I love you."

I hummed in response, thinking for what felt like the millionth time...

Where did that man who would rather be pierced by shards of glass than let anything happen to me go?

Sadness came over me, and tears started rolling down my face.

***

The next morning, when Antonio saw the two little ones, he was pretty surprised.

"Did you bring them back?"

"Yeah. They grow up fast. Every day counts."

I pushed the milk and sandwiches toward Antonio.

"How about we take them to school and pick them up together every day?"

Antonio agreed with a smile.

This was my last act of kindness and cruelty toward him.

Only three days left.

But in fact, he only had two days left to be with the kids.

In the car, the kids were excited. They chatted away to Antonio about their time with their grandparents, the story of The Little Mermaid they heard last night, and reminded him to pick them up from school with me in the afternoon.

Antonio smiled and nodded.

When we got to the kindergarten, the kids kissed his cheek.

He squatted down, looking like the happiest man in the world.